This course
is designed to teach the student the basics of using digital Single
Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras in forensic science.

NOTE: This
is not a course in artistic photography, but you cannot achieve
good artistic results without being technically proficient! You
are encouraged to apply the techniques you learn in this class
to your own artistic endeavours.

The department
has 10 Canon Digital Rebel SLR cameras that has manual focusing,
aperture, and exposure control, as well as several automatic
modes. If you have your own digital SLR camera, feel free to
use it, just make sure you bring the owner's manual in case
I have to help you use it.

Assignments
& Special Project

In addition
to the lab, there will be exercises assigned where you will be asked
to take photographs on your own that illustrate basic camera operations.

There will
also be a special project where you pick a scientifically-oriented
subject and prepare a portfolio. Each special project must be
cleared by the instructor first. A simple example would be photographic
documentation of an insect collection. Details of the special
project requirements will be posted later.

Quizzes

There will
be four scheduled 10 point quizzes to help you keep up. The lowest
quiz score will be dropped. Your final quiz total - minus the lowest
score - will be scaled up to a total of 50 pts.

Make-up
Policies

QUIZZES:

Since the
lowest quiz score is being dropped anyway, there will
be no make-ups on quizzes. The only exception will
be if you have to miss a second quiz - then I will give you
a make-up.

FINAL EXAM:

University
policy states that the final exam time will not be movedunless you have three or more finals on one day. Please
do not ask to take the final early because you want to leave
for vacation early, etc.

If you
have to miss the final due to some unforseen emergency, then
it must be communicated through the Office of Student Affairs
(838-8221). Illnesses, family emergencies, etc must be accompanied
by some form of proof, e.g. a note from your doctor, funeral
home, etc.

Under these
conditions then I will give you an incomplete, not a makeup
(see Incompletes section below).

LABS:

Because
of the limited amounts of equipment and time, there will be
no make-up labs. NOTE: If you miss two labs, you fail
the course!

NOTE:

If you
get sick during a quiz and can't finish it, then that becomes
the quiz you drop, unless it's the second quiz as stated above.
Then I will give you a make-up. If you get sick during the final
exam and can't finish it, then you will receive an incomplete
as listed above. You will not be allowed to finish your final
at another time.

Grading

140
pts

(35%)
comprehensive final (Wed, Dec 7, 12-2)

160
pts

(45%)
lab - 8 labs @ 20 pts each

50
pts

(12.5%)
Special project

50
pts

(12.5%)
quizzes

400
pts

total

Grading will
be no harder than A=90%, B=80%, C=70%, D=60%, F < 60%

Incompletes

Incompletes
are given under special circumstances such as medical reasons, family
emergencies, etc. In order to receive an incomplete, the University
requires you to sign a contract with me outlining the steps you
must take to finish the course. Usually this means there will be
a time deadline for completion of the course before your grade reverts
to an "F".

The Code
of Student Responsibility (PDF file) defines cheating as "intentional
use, or attempted use of artifice, deception, fraud, and/or misrepresentation
of one's academic work". For this class, which involves taking
exams, quizzes, and perform labs, cheating is usually but not
limited to talking or writing to other students, using crib sheets
(prepared notes), or looking at another student's paper. The penalty
for cheating will be a zero grade for the test or quiz or assignment
in question.

It is your
right to request special accommodations under the Americans with
Disabilities Act. For questions, call the Office for Disability
Services at (503) 838-8250 V/TTY, or email them at ods@wou.edu.

REVISED
COURSE SYLLABUS

Click
on each chapter topic for a link to the book webpage
where you can find supplementary learning materials including
demonstrations and practice exam questions.